#nobleburn

[dcviated]

@nobleburn has to believe they can fly

Reaching the city of Selphia must be a welcome reprieve for Nikolette von Brandt. Norad is a sprawling country largely rural in civilization outside the trading centers and ports. Most of the towns are rural and thriving off of trade. Towering mountains break up the beautiful sprawling plains. Crystal blue rivers sweep across the landscape like strokes off a painter's brush. There's a better sense of civilization here. And with it some of the aristocratic sensibilities that the hero considers minimum.

Two nights had been spent in the luxurious abode of the de Sainte-Coquille estate. Five course meals were generously offered by the lord of the house, and one could tell that this was normal for him as well. A stark contrast to his daughter who was petite even by normal standards. Needless to say, not everyone needed nor could indulge in the full extent of the meals offered.

The ladies were in good company, at least.

The beds were less of a fuss, not to mention a cloud compared to what they had before. Layers of sheets on pillowy cushions to make up for the previous nights in camp or in creaky inns. A full night of rest is nice, but not even necessary, as the next leg of the trip would be the last. From here the caravan could shift their mode of transport into the sky. Had to, rather. As the capital of Norad, where Eira lived and reported for duty, had been built on a suspended chunk of earth high above the ground.

"I imagine if we ask Rosalind we can take a bottle of reserve with us. We'll have plenty to drink in the Capital of course, but when it comes to wine the surface I've found has much better to offer... but! Up to you of course, I saw you eyeing the bottle."

Eira is content to engage in small talk and contemplation, but it's not hard to take notice that Nikolette is perhaps not as enthused as the party approaches the skydocks at the edge of town. Had all the exuberance and indulgence of the previous nights gone to waste? The cliffside is imposing enough when perceived through the gaps of buildings, but it's quite the large ship- the cabin suspended in the air by a balloon the size of a mansion.

"You're not sick, are you?" She stops to ask, concern evident on her features though scrutiny peeks through in those ice blue eyes of hers. A touch of the hand to the other's forehead, then a hum. "You did eat those imported hors d'oeuvres."

[madefate]

❛ if you’ve got a problem with the way i handle things, just say so. ❜ (nikolette for marianne) / @nobleburn

❝ O - oh, no, I - ❞

Truth be told, Marianne hadn't even entertained the possibility that Nikolette would notice her; she had been content to tend to Dorte, remaining as invisible as she could, even when the relative quiet of the stables was partially broken by the other's entrance. Marianne had only glanced up for a moment, driven by sheer instinct - and then she'd paused.

Perhaps it is simply a quieter and more foolish curse that she will always be at least a little mesmerized by the sight of someone tending to their horse.

Her fingers had stilled against Dorte's nose, the faintest smile at her lips, feeling a moment of peace amidst the maelstrom of life at the monastery - the maelstrom of every moment of her life poised on the precipice of disaster. Still, she's not surprised when Nikolette assumes the worst of her --- had she given off some terrible aura yet again ? Marianne presses herself against Dorte's side as she fumbles for the words - and then, when they fail her, her bag.

It takes a moment to extract an extra apple from its depths, and another to gather the courage and offer it out. ❝ I only thought, that I had ... extras ... if your horse would - like one ... please forgive my assumption. ❞

[lunawish]

within her arms contain a stack of tomes and textbooks the future emperor's decided to peruse. hubert have protested, insisted on carrying the ones in his lady's arms and yet, she protested and commanded him to scour for others. edelgard's professor assigned their house a peculiar assignment, one that requires her to utilize her tactical thinking abilities and only those abilities.

amethyst eyes flicker towards @nobleburn's direction. the silverhaired maiden offers a polite smile. edelgard is to become adrestia's heir, she must know the art of diplomacy, the talents of a cunning tongue well.

" i see you are also a diligent one, nikolette. "

[wxtchpilot]

hello you are now on the receiving end of the Unexpected Bryn Positivity Hour

I actually don't know what to call you so we should fix that, but nevertheless! Oh my gosh, your passion and love for Suletta shines through with absolutely everything you do, whether that's headcanon posts or replies or just light musings about things. As a fellow Suletta Mercury-adorer, I'm so glad to see her written by someone so interested in exploring her story and doing her justice.

You're also so much fun to talk to and write with! It's honestly a blast just chilling and talking about the Old Days Of Anime hahaha, but also plotting out interaction ideas and looking forward to future threads. I'm so glad that you've accepted Niko so warmly, and I'm having a truly wonderful time with everything. I honestly don't know when the last time I had an AU go so well and so smoothly, and so much of that is down to how easy you are to talk to, and how wonderful all your replies are. Thank you for everything!

[ I NEVER DID POINT OUT WHAT PEOPLE CAN CALL ME, that's my bad!

Can call me Kia. ^^

But seriously, thank you so much for this! We haven't known each other long but I agree, you're such a fun person to talk to and I love hearing your ideas about Nikolette, she's such an interesting and fun character. I can tell you put a lot of love and thought behind her too and that's always so fun to see people do. Makes me want to learn about her in all your verses honestly haha. Something about her is so captivating that it has me so curious and interested to learn as much as possible. ^^

I'm really glad you're having fun too, I am too. Despite my nerves about writing Suletta, you've been so understanding and patient with me. Wish I could properly express my appreciation for that since its so hard to do in text.

I look forward to having more interactions between Nikolette and Suletta, and us talking too! Whether it be about random non-roleplay stuff or discussing things about roleplays/our characters.

I've been having a blast and once again, glad to hear that you are too. Thank you for everything as well. ♥ ]

[pathofemblems]

BLOODBORNE STARTERS // ✶ · ⊰ @nobleburn ⊱ · sent (for louis)... ❛ i have no time for your petty lies. ❜

❝ Have I offended somehow? ❞ Louis asked, aiming the end of his lance toward the ground. Realizing their exercise was done with that comment, he set his weapon aside, primarily to appear more apologetic and open. ❝ If so, then please accept my sincerest apologies, though I do feel the need to insist that I simply cannot bring myself to lie, no matter how trivial or ❛ petty ❜ it may seem. ❞ More often than not, time within the training grounds was spent with the likes of his prince or his fellow Firenese retainers. They knew how to round each other out, how to emphasize each other's strengths and weaknesses before the next skirmish, how to give and take guidance. Yet as the war continued, Louis' ❛ training circle ❜ expanded more and more, now granted the ability to study different countries fighting styles and techniques up close and personal. The Elusian retainer, albeit still new to him, was a welcome addition to his circle. If at all possible, Louis wanted to be on good standing with everyone in this makeshift army, guided by the Divine Dragon. Regardless of their dynamic, Nikolette was treated with the same respect and familiarity as all the rest… and that absolutely included giving advice when they trained. ❝ However, it has been brought to my attention by several of our fellow allies that I perhaps have a less than ideal delivery… ❞ Brows gently knit together in mild concern, rubbing at his chin while attention shifted to the ground as he thought back to some of the more combative complaints about his commentary and people-watching habits. It didn't seem wrong here though! All he'd done was comment on Nikolette's footwork, that it wasn't quite right; he was worried, after all, that she might get hurt in their next battle. He'd made sure to compliment her weaponry skills right after, and he'd meant it! ❝ If that be the case here, you have my word that I will adjust my tone accordingly, lest you decide it'd be best to simply converse as less as possible. ❞

[multiipl]

*; @nobleburn​ » starter call ❤

Under normal circumstances, he would not approach anyone first. However, it was His Highnesses wish for him to pass Nikolette a message. ─── ❝ Nikolette. I hope I am not disturbing you. His Highness wished for me to deliver a message to you. ❞

[cinderellatype-a]

Plots Please!

MONASTERY ASSIGNED KEEPER. when the blue lions receive a new face in the soft voiced darkflyer, nikolette is asked by the leader of the class and the professor to help andromeda acclimate to the unique . . . personalities of the blue lions, and keep the unsettling secret of andromeda bearing two crests, especially the fact that they bare the major crest of the holy kingdom’s royal family.

BRAVADO AND FOOLISHNESS ARE SYNONYMS. in nikolette’s travels, she comes across the familiar face, the heir to a minor fontainian noble house- who had withdrawn from the public nearly 4 years ago under rather interesting and suspicious circumstances.

IRON THORNS OF THE GLASS ROSE. a spinoff of above- as an attempt to win her way into her father’s good graces, nikolette is sent to inazuma after the sakoku decree is removed, to meet with the largest improter/exporter company of the land of eternity, and face to face with the young lady of the family, who has also returned to her mother’s homeland to facilitate the meetings on behalf of their maternal aunt and uncle.

plots please! @nobleburn

[timelessharp]

"See?" Althea gestured wearily at the mealy pear in her other hand, a chunk missing from where she'd bitten and spat it out, small worms visible burrowed into the core. "The gods hate me."

jaheira shouldn't laugh -- she shouldn't, really, but the sound that leaves her is not one of concern but is the low rumble of a chuckle. around them, shadows swirl and the world crumbles into the wrath of something ancient and evil.

the pear is well past its date and she plucks it from althea's grasp with a flick of her wrist to look at it.

" nonsense, girl. it is not directed solely at you -- this land has been unkind to all, including the fruit trees. a shame. a good pear is hard to find on the sword coast. "

castlevania sentences.

[wxtchpilot]

The fact that Nikolette seemed to be contemplating about being friends with Miorine was a step in the right direction, one that both her and Miorine would consider as something good. After all, who wouldn't want more friends? If being at the 'top' was lonely, wouldn't that meant they'd want trustworthy friends? So far, Suletta hasn't seen anything meanspirited about Nikolette.

Honestly, her and Miorine communicated in the same ways when trying to help people, or her in particular. However, when she brought up that Miorine doesn't like her company, Suletta frowned. Was this the first time she'd heard Nikolette sound almost...sad?

"What? I-I'm sure Ms. Miorine doesn't feel that way!" Of course Miorine was rather quick to tell Suletta to stay away from anyone that were in the main houses and to not trust anyone, but if they got to know them better, they could see how nice they were deep down.

She managed to do it with Miorine herself, after all. And maybe on the verge of replicating it with Nikolette.

"Ms. Miorine may be closed off, but she's very nice and trustworthy once she opens up. M-Maybe you and her just need to talk some more? O-Or I could set up something for you!"

Though, like Nikolette said, would that be forcing herself into her personal space? Did Suletta ever do that with Miorine? She did allow her inside the greenhouse though...

"Eh? M-Me??" Being suddenly entrusted to ensure her safety also isn't what she expected to hear from Nikolette but there were no doubts about that.

"O-O-Of course! I would do that without hesitation! I will make sure to d-do my best! Besides..." She glanced to the side. "...I have to repay her for what she did for me to even make this company in the first place..."

And even before that. There were a lot of things Miorine did that showed her kindness, Suletta just needed time to make up for it.

That Miorine had few friends came as little surprise to Nikolette. It was lonely at the top, when one had more resources and privileges than most, for it meant that the intentions of others weren't always clear. A hand offered in friendship could just as easily intend to use the other as a rung upon the social ladder. Of course, it was a shame to always need such suspicions, but Nikolette understood why it was necessary. To surround oneself in opportunistic people was a rather poor place to be in. "It's only natural," she mused. "The more important one's position, the more selective that one's social circle must become and-"

Suletta's suggestion that Nikolette could be her friend caught the blonde girl off-guard, a surprised expression on her face mixing with a crimson blush blooming upon her cheeks. "Miorine and I?" Nikolette seemed embarrassed at the mere suggestion. "W-well..." She crossed her arms over her chest, shrugging her shoulders as if that would solve things. "It's true that Miorine and I have a number of things in common," she conceded. "We're both bright, ambitious, talented, beautiful young women set to inherit companies from our fathers."

Such similarities were enough to either give Nikolette a friendship, or some sort of business rival, but it was a fool's errand to place Miorine in either such box. "But, regardless of that," she murmured, voice growing soft in comparison to her typically brash tone, "I don't think Miorine enjoys my company very much." That was... unpleasant, to admit, and Nikolette wasn't exactly sure either why Miorine seemed to dislike her, or why exactly it stung. Perhaps because Miorine was her social equal, one of the few people Nikolette had no interest in looking down upon, such that losing that opportunity for connection felt worse for its rarity?

"That being the case, I have no intention of forcing my presence upon her." If there had once been an opportunity for the two of them to be closer, it was Nikolette's opinion that the opportunity had passed, and things were better if they continued as they were. "And that's also why you, Suletta Mercury, need to ensure her safety and well-being!" Surely that was something that Nikolette could have done, if allowed, but as it wasn't, and as Miorine was so generally closed-off and independent, then it fell to the person she'd inexplicably allowed in to handle such things.

[maligns]

@nobleburn , for nikollette .

"ah, nikollette." ivy startles out of reverie, ripping her distant gaze from the wintery landscape. these days, she has too much on her mind: her father's missives & the heavy burden of his expectation -- the emblem rings, small shackles on her fingers. in consequent, sleep is elusive, slipping from her grasp even as the late night begins it's lazy transition into daybreak. she smiles wanly, "i apologise, i lost track of time. it must have been jarring to find me absent from my bedchambers. did father send you?"

[lacunasbalustrade]

HOW DO YOU BEST LIKE TO BE LOVED

Tagged by @nobleburn

laugh with me long and loving

jokes are simple and easy to comprehend, and laughter helps with all that tension in your belly. you just want a break from the other stuff, and if someone makes you laugh, then that means that they care, in some way, about your happiness. especially, if, after making you laugh the once, they try and do it again. if laughter is the greatest medicine, then you can share it and no one has to be sick. it is contagious, and free to give and receive. there is never too much of it. there is never too much of you. i hope when you laugh you speak it from your belly. that you use your muscles and let it fill the room. that you know the sound rings like a bell and is lovely. i hope that when you smile you show your teeth.

tagging @melting-morning-blues @thehistorynut19 and @sakuraki99

[dcviated]

lil nice things :: open

@nobleburn sent: 💫❤️ "too many symbols" he says well fine here are only two (2) 💫 ― i enjoy writing with you, ❤️ ― you're one of my favorite blogs

I think of everyone I'm answering this meme for you expected the mtg cards. And of course I'm using totally different ones to counter your nonsense. A favorite blog? I know you have better taste than that. Picking Rae I can understand.

That said, glad you're enjoying the writes. I am too. Even if the muses are in a spectrum of... well. Everyone has different reactions to Nikolette. That's mostly a good thing.

[madefate]

That a commoner had asked her for help was surprising, and that Nikolette was considering it even more so. Still, the so-called Mystical Songstress of the Mittelfrank Opera Company was a special case. "Well," Nikolette said after a moment of thought, before gesturing back at her room. "Why don't you stay here? For a short while, at least." (For Dorothea!) / @nobleburn

❝ Really, thanks so much Nikolette. You'd think at a monastery this size, there'd be somewhere quiet to find some respite. ❞ Dorothea smiles gently, eyes bright but unassuming -- it's almost like creating some sort of recipe or formula: two parts grateful, one part genuine, a dash of cunning pride. She would not have gotten where she is in life without learning how to start dissecting others with nothing more than a glance and a few words. Find what makes them tick, and then you take the power gently and decisively from their hands.

If it's a little disappointing to encounter the same necessary measures at Garreg Mach that she did on the streets of Enbarr, she hasn't yet processed that and likely never will.

Instead, she sweeps into Nikolette's room, taking just a second to note its set up, the few personal items, any books or equipment or weapons. It is quiet here, though, and Dorothea sighs just a little with relief. Her throat is aching and there's a headache pounding in her temples and even though her livelihood doesn't depend on her voice anymore, the anxiety of sickness is something that might always live in her. So it's nice to find a little respite from Ferdinand at her door and Caspar's latest louder-than-life training regiment and poor Bernie's Hubert-induced panic attack.

❝ Did you get a chance to review this week's lesson yet, by the way ? If you'd prefer to keep to ourselves I don't mind, but I'm going to brush up on the last chapter if you want to join. ❞

[myjustice]

10, 23, 39!

10. What fact do they excitedly tell everyone about at every opportunity?

this is so funny, but the simple answer to this is that she used to be famous. & she's not shy about it either, she can go on & on about her struggles with popularity. i say used to be famous in past tense because right now she's not keen on keeping that popularity anymore even though its been shown again & again that she's still quite popular & people are expectant & anticipating her return.

23. What do they feel guilty for that the other person(s) doesn't/don't even remember?

hmm i can't say there's anything in particular that isn't remembered that she doesn't feel guilty about. she feels guilty about many things & she's comfortable expressing these feelings, but if i had to knit pick a bit & from my personal view lens: sitting on a high chair & not truly understanding her common people, but even that was beyond some of her control.

39. Would they rather be invited to an event to feel included or be excluded from an event if they were not genuinely wanted there?

she would rather be excluded. furina isn't very gullible so she would be able to catch these things even if it's assumed that she wouldn't. lonely she feels yes, but she would rather deal & find a way to cope with that loneliness than be in a space where she's clearly not wanted.

questionnaire / @nobleburn

[wxtchpilot]

nobleburn:

Nikolette rolled her eyes with a scoff. "Try to keep up, Suletta Mercury. They mean like this," she murmured, before adopting an intense expression, leaning into Suletta, and slamming her open palm into the wall beside her head.

"...?"

Suletta wasn't expecting Nikolette to explain the meaning, well in terms of actually showing it. So once she was initially confused by the sudden gap between them diminishing and her hand slapping against the wall fairly loud against her ear, Suletta got the picture.

Kind of.

"Wh-Wh-Wh-What...!? Ms. Nikolette, this...this is...i-indecent!" Is this really what that word meant?

[valorandgold]

@nobleburn​ said:

Ship Bias for Selena and/or Petra!

INCOMING WALL OF TEXT

Tbh I’m not sure I have five ships for Selena? I mean I could always list Selena/Summoner as one but that’s the coward’s way out and also a bit too self-indulgent methinks ;D Regardless I do have some feelings™️ regarding her potential ships

- Selena/Glen: Number one forever OTP, and I’m still salty that Valter took away the one person Selena was closest to who nearly talked her out of staying loyal to the man who used to be the love of her life (not that she ever told VIgarde that) because he wasn’t that man anymore, you know, Demon King stuff and whatnot. I love their interactions. limited as they may be (BECAUSE OF FUCKING VALTER GODDAMMIT) and want them to be a thing seriously.

- Selena/Ephraim: A bit of a weird ship but tbh, I can see it. If only Ephraim and Duessel could convince Selena to join their side 😭I feel like they’d have really good chemistry in an alternate universe where that happens, given she would probably need time to grieve Vigarde as a result of that regardless. But I could definitely see it happening of the course of time, though Selena would probably think that Ephraim is in some serious need of more discipline...no that’s not a euphemism though tbh I could see them being a bit kinky but that’s beside the point 

- Selena/Vanessa: Okay I know this seems like a crack ship but hear me out. This is one of those ships that’s mainly the result of a long string of interactions that I had when I was running Selena on her own blog once upon a time that she had with a Vanessa, and that romantic chemistry between them has actually led to fanfics of this ship on AO3 by that same RPer, btw. Anyway, back to my main point, Vanessa being inspired and utterly admiring Selena for how far she’s coming and trying to aspire to similar heights in Frelia’s army and the two bonding and falling hopelessly in love with each other GIVES ME LIFE OKAY? There’s a lot of potential there, I’m just saying.

I can’t really think of any other ones right now? Selena/Eirika is a possibility I’ve considered but I’ve not put enough thought into it yet to really list it here. I’m surprisingly not as much of a ship whore for Selena believe it or not (but if I didn’t feel like it was cheating, I would totally list Selena/M-...I mean Selena/Summoner.) 

- Petra/Dorothea: ...look, at this point it’s no secret to anyone that I am utter trash for this ship and I need it in my life and I love these two so much and this is my OTP for her mgnghgh. Just the fact that from the start Dorothea is so accepting and encouraging of Petra, not even caring about her being from Brigid and her difficulties with Fodlan’s language, and she doesn’t take too much offense to Petra’s very blunt way of saying things, and the fact that Petra comes to care for Doro so much and wants her to stay in Brigid with her and the idea of Doro becoming a Queen of Brigid with her (and adopting like all the kids in Enbarr who are struggling like she did once upon a time) and just their sheer chemistry...I can never get over these two, okay? I’m filthy trash for this ship and nothing’s really ever gonna change that.

- Petra/Edelgard: Hey, is anyone else extremely upset that these two never got an A-Support which could have been really interesting and compelling and led to a good ship for these two? I know I sure am. I mean god damn, why could they not have had a full support line like they deserved? It consistently makes me upset that Doro is the only Black Eagles girl allowed to flirt with and have ships with every other girl in the Black Eagles (among others) but Petra can’t have a proper support line with Edelgard, and don’t get me started on Bernie either.

- Petra/Claude: ...honestly I’m not sure what to say here other than have you SEEN their supports? No really, have you? I mean, okay, I know I could have said the same thing about Doropetra but I wasn’t able to contain myself but really, if you’ve seen their supports you should just know. Look, I just love how from the start Claude treats Petra like an equal, even though they both notice how neither one is exactly typical for their social status (though Petra is close enough for Brigid, but not really for Fodlan). And to think their wonderful bonding all starts over Claude being unable to climb trees

- Petra/Ashe: Once again, I’m having a hard time discussing this other than just saying look at their supports? I just love the way Ashe helps Petra adapt to commoner life in Fodlan and she feels like she’s becoming a better and more knowledgeable person because of it whereas he’s just doing it because he loves to help people and wants to help Petra feel comfortable and then she just literally helps him realize his dream by the end of it. “You wanna be a knight? I can make an order of Knights of Brigid just for you and you can my guardian knight, I really like that idea, we’re both ambitious and driven and have goals we want to reach, let’s get there together.” It’s just so sweet and wholesome.

- Petra/Bernadetta: ...actually I literally don’t have much to say about this one because it’s pretty much the same thing as Edelgard. So yeah, salty this one couldn’t happen either to be honest, especially because I love the difficulty of overcoming the language barrier early on for them. It could lead to some really sweet and fun things for them I feel like.